Retrofittable no filter no run filtration system

ABSTRACT

A no filter no filter no nm attachment is disclosed. A shell defines a fluid passage from an upstream fluid aperture at a first end for fluid receiving communication with a filtration cartridge to a downstream fluid aperture at a corresponding second end sized and shaped for coupling to a fluid pump inlet. The shell further defines a pin aperture at the first end sized to receive a pin from the filtration cartridge. A divider segments the fluid passage into an upstream portion that comprises the upstream fluid aperture and the pin aperture and a downstream portion that comprises the downstream fluid aperture. The divider also defines an internal aperture that allows fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. A ball is disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid aperture, and is sized to have a greater diameter than the internal aperture.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of PCT Application No.PCT/US2017/021126, filed Mar. 7, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/305,273, filed Mar. 8, 2016. PCTApplication No. PCT/US2017/021126 also claims priority to ChineseUtility Model No. ZL201620390745.8, filed on May 3, 2016 and issued onJan. 18, 2017. The contents of all three applications are incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to filtration systems having areplaceable filter element.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines generally combust a mixture of fuel (e.g.,gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.) and air. Prior to entering theengine, fluids, such as fuel and oil, are typically passed throughfilter elements to remove contaminants (e.g., particulates, dust, water,etc.) from the fluids prior to delivery to the engine. The filterelements require periodic replacement as the filter media of the filterelements captures and removes the contaminants from the fluids passingthrough the filter media. In some cases, unauthorized or non-genuinereplacement filter elements may be installed in the filtration systemsduring servicing operations. The unauthorized and non-genuinereplacement filter elements may be of inferior quality compared togenuine, authorized filter elements. The use of unauthorized ornon-genuine replacement filter elements may cause damage to the engineby allowing contaminants to pass through the filter element.

Some engine and filtration system implement various engine integrityprotection (“EIP”) features, such as the implementation of no filter norun (“NFNR”) systems. In an NFNR system, the engine will either not runor run in a limited capacity (e.g., in a limp mode) if no filter elementis installed in the filtration system or, in some instances, if animproper filter element is installed. However, many engine andfiltration systems are not equipped with such EIP features. These engineand filtration systems are therefore susceptible to damage if usedwithout any filter element or with improper replacement filter elements.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a no filter no run attachment. The attachmentcomprises a shell defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluidaperture at a first end for fluid receiving communication with afiltration cartridge to a downstream fluid aperture at a correspondingsecond end sized and shaped for coupling to a fluid pump inlet, theshell further defining a pin aperture at the first end sized to receivea pin from the filtration cartridge. The attachment further comprises adivider segmenting the fluid passage into an upstream portion thatcomprises the upstream fluid aperture and the pin aperture and adownstream portion that comprises the downstream fluid aperture, anddefining an internal aperture on the divider that allows fluidcommunication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.The attachment comprises a ball disposed in the upstream portion influid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluid aperture, andsized to have a greater diameter than the internal aperture such that anoperative engagement of the ball with the divider within the internalaperture blocks fluid communication between the upstream portion and thedownstream portion.

Another embodiment relates to a fluid filtration assembly. The assemblycomprises a filtration cartridge comprising a filtration media disposedabout a filter frame defining a central bore with a pin protruding intoan end of the central bore. The assembly further comprises a pump inletdisposed within the central bore. The assembly comprises a no filter norun attachment coupled to the pump inlet within the central bore. Theattachment comprises a shell defining a fluid passage from an upstreamfluid aperture at a first end for fluid receiving communication with thefiltration cartridge to a downstream fluid aperture at a correspondingsecond end sized and shaped for coupling to the pump inlet, the shellfurther defining a pin aperture through which the pin of the filtrationcartridge is disposed. The attachment further comprises a dividersegmenting the fluid passage into an upstream portion that comprises theupstream fluid aperture and the pin aperture and a downstream portionthat comprises the downstream fluid aperture, and defining an internalaperture on the divider that allows fluid communication between theupstream portion and the downstream portion. The attachment comprises aball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receivingcommunication with the upstream fluid aperture, and sized to have agreater diameter than the internal aperture such that an engagement ofthe ball to the divider within the internal aperture blocks fluidcommunication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.The pin prevents the engagement of the ball to the divider.

Still another embodiment comprises a method of operating a fluidfiltration assembly, comprising coupling a no filter no run attachmentto a pump inlet. The no filter no run attachment comprises a shelldefining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid aperture at a first endfor fluid receiving communication with a filtration cartridge to adownstream fluid aperture at a corresponding second end sized and shapedfor coupling to the pump inlet, the shell further defining a pinaperture through which a pin of the filtration cartridge may bedisposed. The no filter no run attachment further comprises a dividersegmenting the fluid passage into an upstream portion that comprises theupstream fluid aperture and the pin aperture and a downstream portionthat comprises the downstream fluid aperture, and defining an internalaperture on the divider that allows fluid communication between theupstream portion and the downstream portion. The no filter no runattachment still further comprises a ball disposed in the upstreamportion in fluid flow receiving communication with the upstream fluidaperture. The ball is sized to have a greater diameter than the internalaperture such that an engagement of the ball to the divider within theinternal aperture blocks fluid communication between the upstreamportion and the downstream portion. In particular embodiments, a filtercartridge is coupled to the no filter no run attachment, the filtercartridge including the pin, the pin entering the pin aperture, therebypreventing engagement of the ball with the divider.

These and other features, together with the organization and manner ofoperation thereof, will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a NFNR attachment, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2A is a lateral cross-sectional view of the NFNR attachment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a frontal cross-sectional view of the NFNR attachment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a lateral cross-sectional view of a portion of a filtrationassembly that includes the NFNR attachment of FIG. 1 and a genuine orauthorized filter element.

FIG. 3B is a lateral cross-sectional view of a portion of a filtrationassembly that includes the NFNR attachment of FIG. 1 and a non-genuineor unauthorized filter element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures generally, a retrofit NFNR attachment forexisting filtration systems manufactured without a no filter no run EIPfeature is depicted. The attachment is beneficial for a manufacturerthat initially does not require the benefit of a no filter no run EIPfeature but later requires such a feature. The attachment can be coupledonto an existing filtration system without significant modification tothe existing filtration system head. The NFNR attachment prevents theequipment supplied by the filtration system (e.g., an internalcombustion engine) from being operated without a filter element.Further, the NFNR attachment prevents the equipment supplied by thefiltration system from being operated with an unauthorized ornon-genuine replacement filter element. The NFNR attachment safeguardsagainst damage to downstream components of the filtration system andmalfunctions of equipment in which the filtration system is used.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view 100 of a NFNR attachment 101 isshown according to an example embodiment. The NFNR attachment 101includes a shell 110, a cage, 120, a grommet 130, and a ball 140. Insome arrangements, the shell 110, the cage 120, and the grommet 130 maybe independently formed and later assembled together into the NFNRattachment 101. In other arrangements, the features of at least theshell 110 and the cage 120 are formed as a unitary structure.

The shell 110 is an external housing of the NFNR attachment 101. In somearrangements, the NFNR attachment 101 is formed separately anddistinctly from the fluid inlet, and may be retrofitted to the fluidinlet. The shell 110 may be formed of various plastics selected toprovide a firm housing while resisting degradation and wear due toexposure to fluid flows, including flows of diesel or unleaded fuel(e.g., plastics). The shell 110 defines an upstream fluid aperture 113at a first end and a downstream fluid aperture 111 at a correspondingsecond end that is sized and shaped to for coupling to the fluid inletof a filtration system. In some arrangements, an annular flange 112 isdisposed about the outer circumference surrounding the downstream fluidaperture 111. In addition, in some arrangements, the first end of theshell 110 further defines a pair of snap apertures 114 and a pinaperture 115.

The cage 120 includes features that are sized and shaped to define afluid flow passage within the shell 110. In some arrangements, the cage120 further includes one or more snap protrusions 123 that areconfigured to be disposed through corresponding snap apertures 114 inthe shell 110 for a snap-fit installation. The cage 120 includes adivider 121 that spans a cross section of the fluid flow passage anddefines an internal aperture 122 that allows for fluid communicationfrom one side of the divider 121 to the other side of the divider 121.

In various arrangements, the grommet 130 is formed of a materialselected to provide a leak-proof or substantially leak-proof engagementto the divider 121 at the internal aperture 122 as well as the ball 140(e.g., rubber). The grommet 130 defines an annular groove 132 structuredto engage the inner circumference of the internal aperture 122 and aconcentric grommet bore 131 structured to provide a path of fluid flowfrom one side of the divider 121 to the other side of the divider 121upon installation in the cage 120. While the ball 140 is substantiallyspherical in one embodiment, it should be understood that, in variousarrangements, the ball 140 may not be perfectly or substantiallyspherical, instead having more of an oblong, oval or another shape. Theball 140 is configured to operatively engage the divider 121, i.e.,interact with the divider (either through direct or indirect contact) ina manner so as to block fluid flow through the internal aperture 122and/or the grommet bore 131. The ball 140 has a larger diameter than thegrommet bore 131, and in some arrangements, is of a lesser density thanthe fluid filtered by an associated filter assembly. The ball 140 isstructured for transient engagement to the divider 121 at the internalaperture 122 and/or the grommet bore 131. Accordingly, in onearrangement, a fluid flow may press the ball 140 up against the grommet130 and block the grommet bore 131, thereby preventing passage of fluidthrough the divider 121. In turn, if the fluid flow abates, the ball 140may disengage from the grommet 130 and expose the grommet bore 131.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a lateral cross-sectional view 200 anda frontal cross-sectional view 250 of the assembled NFNR attachment 101are shown. The grommet 130 is coupled to the divider 121 of the cage120, and the cage 120 is installed within the shell 101. In variousarrangements, the snap protrusions are disposed through correspondingsnap apertures 114 in the shell to secure the coupling of the cage 120to the shell 110. Upon assembly, a fluid passage is defined by theupstream fluid aperture 113 of the shell 110, the grommet bore 131, andthe downstream fluid aperture 111 of the shell 110. In addition, thedivider 121 segments the fluid passage into an upstream portion 202 anda downstream portion 204 relative to the direction of fluid flow throughthe fluid passage. The ball 140 is disposed in the upstream portion 202.As such, a fluid flow into the upstream fluid aperture 113 may push theball 140 toward and partially into the grommet bore 131 of the grommet130, thereby blocking the fluid flow from reaching the downstreamportion 204. In addition, in some arrangements, a protrusion 206extending from an interior wall of the shell 110 may be configured toposition the ball 140 adjacent to the grommet bore 131 and prevent theball 140 from getting trapped or stuck at a position within the upstreamportion 202 away from the grommet 130.

FIG. 3A shows a first arrangement 300 of a fluid filtration assemblywhere the NFNR attachment 101 is coupled to a pump inlet 302 disposedwithin a central bore of a genuine or authorized fluid filter 304. Thepump inlet 302 is in fluid providing communication with a fluid pump(e.g., an electric fluid pump, a mechanical fluid pump, etc.) that drawsa fluid from a reservoir (e.g., fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, water, etc.)through the genuine fluid filter 304, into the NFNR attachment 101, andinto the pump inlet 302. Filtered fluid in the pump inlet 302 is thenprovided to a system via the associated pump, such as an internalcombustion engine.

In the first arrangement 300, the shell 110 of the NFNR attachment 101is coupled to the pump inlet 302 by an engagement portion 312 of thepump inlet 302. In the arrangement shown, the engagement portion 312 isa circumferential extension of an outer housing of the pump inlet 302that is annularly disposed about the outer circumference of the annularflange 112 of the shell 110 and subsequently crimped to the annularflange 112. In some arrangements, the NFNR attachment 101 is permanentlycoupled to the pump inlet 302 such that a subsequent removal of the NFNRattachment 101 would damage the pump inlet 302 and/or otherwise disruptthe operation of the pump inlet 302.

The genuine fluid filter 304 includes a filtration medium 306operatively coupled to a filter frame 308 disposed within. In variousarrangements, the filtration medium 306 may be structured as corrugatedfluid filtration material disposed in an overall cylindrical shape, witha cylindrical arrangement of the filter frame 308 concentricallydisposed within. The filter frame 308 defines the central bore intowhich the pump inlet 302 and the coupled NFNR attachment 101 may bedisposed, as well as a plurality of sidewall apertures allowing fluidcommunication between the filtration medium 306 and the upstream fluidaperture 113 of the NFNR attachment 101. In addition, the filter frame308 includes a pin 310 disposed within the central bore that correspondsto the size and location of the pin aperture 115 of the shell 110. Uponcoupling of the genuine fluid filter 304 to the pump inlet 302, the pin310 is disposed through the pin aperture 115 such that a tip of the pin310 is positioned adjacent to the grommet 130.

In operation, the NFNR attachment 101 is assembled and coupled to thepump inlet 302. The genuine fluid filter 304 is then coupled to the pumpinlet 302, disposing the pin 310 into the pin aperture 115 and betweenthe grommet 130 and the ball 140. An associated fluid pump is actuated(e.g., via actuation of an associated internal combustion engine),giving rise to a fluid flow 314 across the filtration medium 306 andinto the upstream fluid aperture 113 of the NFNR attachment 101. Thefluid flow 314 encounters and flows into the ball 140; however, the pin310 prevents the ball 140 from moving into and blocking the grommet bore131. As such, the fluid flow 314 may flow around the pin 310 and theball 140, through the grommet bore 131 into the downstream portion 204of the NFNR attachment 101, into the pump inlet 302, and then to thesystem (e.g., the internal combustion engine).

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a second arrangement 350 of a fluid filtrationassembly shows the NFNR attachment 101 as coupled to a pump inlet 302disposed within a central bore of a non-genuine or unauthorized fluidfilter 352. In the second arrangement 350, the pump inlet 302 and theNFNR attachment 101 may be structured in a substantially similar manneras described with respect to the first arrangement 300 of FIG. 3A,however the non-genuine fluid filter 352 is missing the pin 310 of thefirst arrangement 300. As such, in operation, the fluid flow 314 maypush the ball 140 into the grommet bore 131 of the grommet 130.Engagement of the ball 140 to the grommet 130 effectively prevents thefluid flow 314 from reaching the pump inlet 302, and therefore preventsthe fluid flow 314 from reaching the system (e.g., the internalcombustion engine). Similarly, the fluid flow 314 may push the ball 140into the grommet bore 131 and block the fluid flow 314 if no fluidfilter is coupled to the pump inlet 302.

Thus, the NFNR attachment 101 provides a retrofit solution forfiltration systems not originally designed with an NFNR EIP feature. TheNFNR attachment can be coupled to these filtration systems withoutsignificant modification to the pump inlet 302. The NFNR attachment 101will assist in preventing possible system (e.g., internal combustionengine) damage that may be caused by unauthorized or non-genuine filterelements being installed or the absence of a filter element in anassociated filtration system. This EIP feature would therefore reduce oreliminate warranty claims related to the system.

It should be noted that the term “example” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled” and the like as used herein mean the joining of twomembers directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may bestationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable orreleasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, unless otherwise noted, elements shown as integrally formed maybe constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elementsmay be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number ofdiscrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order orsequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequencedaccording to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design,operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A no filter no run attachment, comprising: ashell defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid aperture at afirst end for fluid receiving communication with a filtration cartridgeto a downstream fluid aperture at a second end, the shell sized andshaped for coupling to a fluid pump inlet such that the fluid pump inletis annularly disposable about an outer circumference of the shell, theshell comprising an annular flange disposed about the outercircumference of the shell and surrounding the downstream fluid apertureof the shell, the annular flange structured for engagement to the fluidpump inlet, the shell defining a pin aperture at the first end sized toreceive a pin from the filtration cartridge; a divider segmenting thefluid passage into an upstream portion that comprises the upstream fluidaperture and the pin aperture and a downstream portion that comprisesthe downstream fluid aperture, the divider defining an internal aperturethat allows fluid communication between the upstream portion and thedownstream portion; and a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluidflow receiving communication with the upstream fluid aperture, the ballhaving a greater diameter than a diameter of the internal aperture suchthat an operative engagement of the ball with the divider within theinternal aperture blocks fluid communication between the upstreamportion and the downstream portion.
 2. The attachment of claim 1,wherein the ball is less dense than a fluid of the fluid flow.
 3. Theattachment of claim 1, further comprising a grommet coupled to thedivider concentrically within the internal aperture and defining agrommet bore providing fluid communication between the upstream portionand the downstream portion.
 4. The attachment of claim 3, wherein thegrommet is formed of a material enabling leak resistant engagements toeach of the divider and the ball.
 5. The attachment of claim 1, whereinthe divider is formed as part of a cage disposed within the shell. 6.The attachment of claim 5, wherein the cage comprises at least one snapprotrusion and the shell comprises at least one corresponding snapaperture, and wherein the cage is secured in the shell by a snap fit ofthe at least one snap protrusion in the at least one corresponding snapaperture.
 7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the annular flange isstructured for engagement to the fluid pump inlet through crimping. 8.The attachment of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises an interiorprotrusion in the upstream portion, the interior protrusion structuredto position the ball adjacent to the internal aperture.
 9. A fluidfiltration assembly comprising: a filtration cartridge comprising afiltration media disposed about a filter frame defining a central borewith a pin protruding into an end of the central bore; a pump inletdisposed within the central bore; and a no filter no run attachmentcoupled to the pump inlet within the central bore and comprising: ashell defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluid aperture at afirst end for fluid receiving communication with the filtrationcartridge to a downstream fluid aperture at a corresponding second endsized and shaped for coupling to the pump inlet, the shell comprising anannular flange disposed about an outer circumference of the shell andsurrounding the downstream fluid aperture of the shell, the annularflange structured for engagement to the pump inlet, the shell furtherdefining a pin aperture through which the pin of the filtrationcartridge is disposed; a divider segmenting the fluid passage into anupstream portion that comprises the upstream fluid aperture and the pinaperture and a downstream portion that comprises the downstream fluidaperture, and defining an internal aperture on the divider that allowsfluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstreamportion; and a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flowreceiving communication with the upstream fluid aperture, and sized tohave a greater diameter than the internal aperture such that anengagement of the ball to the divider within the internal apertureblocks fluid communication between the upstream portion and thedownstream portion, wherein the pin prevents the engagement of the ballwith the divider.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the ball is lessdense than a fluid of the fluid flow.
 11. The assembly of claim 9,further comprising a grommet coupled to the divider concentricallywithin the internal aperture and defining a grommet bore providing fluidcommunication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the grommet is formed of amaterial enabling leak resistant engagements to each of the divider andthe ball.
 13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the divider is formed aspart of a cage disposed within the shell.
 14. The assembly of claim 13,wherein the cage comprises at least one snap protrusion and the shellcomprises at least one corresponding snap aperture, wherein the cage issecured in the shell by a snap fit of the at least one snap protrusionin the at least one corresponding snap aperture.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the annular flange is structured for engagement to thepump inlet through crimping.
 16. The assembly of claim 9, wherein theshell comprises an interior protrusion in the upstream portionstructured to position the ball adjacent to the internal aperture. 17.The assembly of claim 9, wherein the pump inlet is formed as a distinctstructure from the no filter no run attachment.
 18. A method ofoperating a fluid filtration assembly, comprising: coupling a no filterno run attachment to a pump inlet, the no filter no run attachmentcomprising: a shell defining a fluid passage from an upstream fluidaperture at a first end for fluid receiving communication with afiltration cartridge to a downstream fluid aperture at a correspondingsecond end, the shell sized and shaped for coupling to the pump inletsuch that the pump inlet is annularly disposed about an outercircumference of the shell, the shell comprising an annular flangedisposed about the outer circumference of the shell and surrounding thedownstream fluid aperture of the shell, the annular flange structuredfor engagement to the pump inlet, the shell further defining a pinaperture through which a pin of the filtration cartridge may bedisposed; a divider segmenting the fluid passage into an upstreamportion that comprises the upstream fluid aperture and the pin apertureand a downstream portion that comprises the downstream fluid aperture,and defining an internal aperture on the divider that allows fluidcommunication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion;and a ball disposed in the upstream portion in fluid flow receivingcommunication with the upstream fluid aperture, and sized to have agreater diameter than the internal aperture such that an engagement ofthe ball to the divider within the internal aperture blocks fluidcommunication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: coupling the filtercartridge to the no filter no run attachment, the filter cartridgeincluding the pin, the pin entering the pin aperture, thereby preventingengagement of the ball with the divider.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein the divider is formed as part of a cage disposed within theshell.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the no filter no runattachment further comprises a grommet coupled to the dividerconcentrically within the internal aperture and defining a grommet boreproviding fluid communication between the upstream portion and thedownstream portion.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the grommet isformed of a material enabling leak resistant engagements to each of thedivider and the ball.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the couplingof the no filter no run attachment to the pump inlet is a permanentcoupling.